Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcon jets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be conducting the first bilateral air exercise, codenamed SINDEX, with the Indian Air Force from 11 to 27 Oct 04.

The F-16s, which had just concluded a 15-day air exercise in France with the French Air Force, flew into Gwalior Air Force Station in Western India for the exercise. Two KC-135 tankers, for air-to-air refuelling, supported the six F-16s during the three-day journey from France to India. The Indian Air Force will deploy Sukhoi-30, MiG-27, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 aircraft for Ex SINDEX.

SINDEX marks another milestone in the growing defence cooperation between the two countries. The Singapore Armed Forces and the Indian Armed Forces interact regularly through exchange of visits, as well as participation in each others' courses and seminars. SINDEX provides the RSAF with a valuable opportunity to train alongside the Indian Air Force and to conduct air operations in realistic and challenging conditions. The bilateral air exercise will also promote professional exchanges, strengthen the friendship and enhance inter-operability between the two air forces.

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/display.asp?number=2229

So its confirm that those from France will be in India and DASH will be deployed too.

Too bad, it seems that our E2Cs aren't part of the picture. Perhaps the Indians will have their own A-50s peering from the distance.

Phalcons are delivered already? I don't think so.

No, these are not the phalcons. Around 2000, India leased two A-50s (Beriev Mainstays) from Russia... Inferior to E3, that's for sure, but an interesting target nonetheless. Our neighbours up north might take this option - in case no one else wants to barter trade for arms.

So the Indians are seeking new scalps? All the power to them then.

I don't think the Indians would be deploying their AEWACs to give themselves an extra edge. I think it will be a fair evaluation of both sides' proficiency, mano é mano.

Related news:

Indian Mirage crashes in exercise

A French-built Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet has crashed after taking off from the Gwalior base in central India.
The pilot ejected safely and the plane crashed in a sparsely populated area.

The crash is the second involving a Mirage 2000 in India in less than a month, and the fifth since they became part of the air force in the 1980s.

The Indian Air Force is one of the largest in the world, but has been criticised for its poor safety record.

"The pilots got airborne for an exercise mission but they experienced some technical fault in the aircraft and they wanted to land," Squadron Leader Mahesh Upasani told the Reuters news agency.

"But they could not land the plane and ejected safely before it crashed near the base," he said.

The crash - during joint exercises with the Singaporean air force - is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Indian Air Force.

A Mirage 2000 crashed last month after the aircraft reportedly lost its nose wheel in mid-flight.

Several British-designed Jaguars crashed in quick succession earlier this year.

India's ageing MiG-21s have an appalling safety record - more than 30 have crashed in the past 18 months alone.

In March, India ordered 66 Hawk jet trainers aircraft from Britain.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3736008.stm

very unfortunate. the mirage had a good history in iaf till recently. this a/c was at 18000 ft when the compressor failed. it tried to glide back but about 7.5mn from the base it crashed. lucky they had ejection seats. the passengers and crew of this aircraft did not.

Don't fret if Pak gets F-16s

Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI jets are apparently outgunning American F-16s on "several aspects" at the ongoing Indo-Singapore air combat exercise in Gwalior.

In other words, our flyboys are getting their bottoms handed to them?

Great!

About time our boys eat a bit of humble pie so that they can improve - AND - improvise....

Southpark
The Dude

We won't be able to find out the results of this exercise unlike cope india. Maybe only a few leaks here and there that's all.

PHOTOS!

Haha.Royal Singapore Air Force.Wonder who's the Emperor???

Anyway, did we send our A/Bs?

Since when did Singapore have a Westminister-styled monarchy? Or wait, is this an Indian attempt at innuendo? Hinting that Lee Hsien Loong is an "Enlightened Despot"? :D

On the side note, the SUs do look huge compared to the falcon eh?

I think we've phased out our A/Bs quite recently?

really? are they for sale?

Not a fair comment....

Given that in Cope India, the Rules of Engagement was ridiculously stacked in favour of the IAF, the 6 F-15Cs were definitely never in the real advantage to win anyway. The F-15Cs were acting as the aggressors most of the time, outnumbered 2 to 1 at least, sometimes as many as 3 to 1 or 4 to 1. How can they win? USAF also didn't bring their AWACSs nor the 6 Eagles were fitted with JHMCS. Don't forget that the Sukhois were all carrying the Russian HMS. Furthermore, the Rules of Engagement also limited the BVR shot ranges which were the Eagle's strength.

I suspect the RSAF were imposed with similar restrictions to "simulate" the PAF's F-16 A/Bs. If the RoE forbids the flyboys to make full use of the Vipers, then the results really meant nothing. Furthermore, it is also a good practice for RSAF to be practicing fighting from a disadvantagous position. Last but not least, it is also good to know all the "mistakes" flying against non tradition aircrafts, eg. Russian and French. RSAF has flown too many dissimlar air combat against US built aircraft. And it is also important to be less cocky and let the actions do the talk, like the Israeli Air Force!!!!

The point is that it is better for us to be handicapped in training and be unshackled in war....

Macham like shaolin training - wear weights on hands and legs and train.....in real fight take out become REALLY kilat...... :D

Better than cry "foul" and say not fair, not on home ground, etc.....

Southpark
The Dude

Yep.That's very true.To match a numerically superior force and be inhibited by ex. rules can make a pilot more agile and more capable of improvising.

Cope India Eagles had JHMCS and AIM-9X. Our boys went with DASH and AIM-9S

another photo, seems that our boys meet the MK1 and the MKI

MINDEF STATEMENT ON ONGOING EXERCISE SINDEX

In response to a media query on an Indian newspaper report that Indian Air Force fighters had proved more than a match for the RSAF's F-16s in Exercise SINDEX, the MINDEF Spokesman said:

"We can understand why the Indian media would come out with a sensational story like this.

We are very pleased with the exercise and the performance of the RSAF's pilots and aircraft. The Indian Air Force has been an excellent host, and as their guest, it would not be courteous for us to comment on the specific outcomes of the exercise."

Both air forces found the exercise to be of great professional value. The RSAF certainly looks forward to future such exercises with the Indian Air Force.

CHIEF OF AIR FORCE'S INTRODUCTORY VISIT TO INDIA

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Lim Kim Choon will be visiting New Delhi, Gwalior, Jodhpur and Agra during his introductory visit to India from 24 to 29 Oct 04.

MG Lim will also call on Indian Defence Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Secretary Mr Ajai Vikram Singh, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy, Chief of Army Staff General Nirmal Chander Vij, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash.

MG Lim will also visit the ongoing exercise between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Gwalior Air Force Station. Codenamed SINDEX, the exercise is the first bilateral exercise between the two air forces, and marks a milestone in the growing defence cooperation between Singapore and India.

MG Lim's visit underscores the warm and friendly defence ties between Singapore and India.

SINDEX 04, the inaugural bilateral exercise between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), is being held from 11 to 27 Oct 04 at Gwalior Air Force Station in Western India.

The exercise involves six F-16C/D Fighting Falcon jets from the RSAF, as well as Sukhoi-30, MiG-27, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 aircraft from the IAF. The RSAF F-16C/Ds had earlier participated in Exercise Western Arc 04, which was held in Dijon, France from 13 Sep to 5 Oct 04. Two KC-135 tankers and one C-130 transport aircraft had supported the F-16C/Ds’ journey from France to India. This long-range deployment over two continents required complex planning and extensive logistical preparation.

SINDEX 04 reflects the growing defence cooperation between the two countries and provides the RSAF with a valuable opportunity to train alongside the IAF and to conduct air operations in realistic and challenging conditions. The bilateral air exercise will also strengthen the friendship and enhance inter-operability between the two air forces.

Chief of Air Force Major-General Lim Kim Choon, who is on his introductory visit to India, observed the exercise at Gwalior earlier today. He said:

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to observe SINDEX 04 in Gwalior. I am certain that the two air forces find value in SINDEX. For the RSAF, the exercise has enabled us to train with a well-established air force. We are learning much from our interactions with the IAF’s excellent aviators.

The two air forces worked well together during the exercise. SINDEX 04 marks another milestone in our defence ties with the IAF, and has helped enhance the friendship and camaraderie between members of the two air forces. Hopefully, this will pave the way for closer and more extensive bilateral co-operation in the future.”

During the joint media conference by RSAF and IAF at Gwalior, Air Commodore S P Rajguru (Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Gwalior), said:

“Such exchanges are mutually beneficial to the participating countries and therefore hold a lot of value. Such exercises provide invaluable learning experiences to the participants. At the same time, these exercises also help them refine their individual training and operational procedures.

The experience gained by both sides is likely to set the basis for a better and more fruitful interaction in future exercises. It has been of a great learning value for the operators from both the Air Forces. Apart from operating against different types of aircraft, it is the interaction at all levels that has actually made the difference in terms of better understanding and mutual respect as professionals.

It is expected that SINDEX 04 will pave the way for further interaction between the two air forces and the two nations.”

LTC Anil Sankar, the RSAF detachment commander for the exercise, commented that the exercise had provided a useful platform for professional interactions. He added that:

"SINDEX 04 is a breakthrough in many ways. It is our first exercise in India and the experience has been remarkable. The IAF has been a gracious host and has helped to facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise. Our pilots very much appreciate the varied opportunities available for us to train in India and with the IAF. This exercise provided a wonderful opportunity for professional and cultural exchange. It has also allowed our two air forces to understand each other better and to foster many close friendships between our personnel."

mms://media.mindef.gov.sg/26oct04_EXsindex_hi.asf

I notice that in the video the F-16C seems to be carrying an AMRAAM practice round on the starboard wingtip station.

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/rsaf/download/newsletter_90.pdf

check out this copy of AF News, a woman pilot was among those who went to ex sindex, pictures included

She looks quite chio too :lol:

too old for you liao :P

Haha! Yeah. Jus too bad :(

Indian defense minister said that the RSAF will be back for exercises next month

http://www.alert5.com/2005/12/no-formal-of...s-on-orion.html

ExpressIndia
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=60397

Kolkata, December 23:

The American F-16s will be back at Kalaikunda Air Force base in West Midnapore district, about 200 km from Kolkata, for the second time in less than two months. It’s time for yet another joint air exercise, this time between India and Singapore.

The Singapore Air Force will be bringing in eight F-16s and 130 personnel for the exercise at Kalaikunda. The exercise, to begin from January 3, will continue for 18 days, according to Wg Cdr R K Das, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Defence in Kolkata.

A similar exercise between India and the United States Air Force (USAF) at Kalaikunda in November had triggered a massive protest rally from the CPI(M) and other Left parties. Nearly 60,000 people had assembled outside the air base to lodge their protest against such joint military exercise with US forces.

The Left leaders had then complained that the Centre was compromising India’s sovereignty and security concerns. Their cadres also burnt effigies of American President George Bush.

Like the Indo-US exercise, the Indo-Singapore air exercise is also going to be an elaborate one. A similar exercise between the two forces was held in Gwalior, this one is the second in the series. In 2004, the IAF had deployed the Surya Kiran formation aerobatic team and the helicopter display team, Sarang, at Singapore during their annual air show.

The defence officials said that such exercises are aimed at ‘‘fostering and developing’’ better relations with friendly foreign countries through fruitful interaction in operational, technical and administrative practices’’.

The Indian Air Force has already increased the level of cooperation with Air Forces of friendly countries like USA, France, South Africa, UK, China and Russia, the officials claimed.

The infrastructure at the Air Force station at Kalaikunda has been upgraded to host such bilateral exercise with foreign Air Forces, the defence official said. Singapore has a versatile Air Force and operates modern aircraft and weapon system, it was stated.

Wonder SG will as agressor or friendly forces for the USA in this excerise...Both got pros and cons. If friendly forces, can test the interopability of the two commands (Link-16. doctrine etc)....though somehow, me feel that even if we bring our F-16 block 52+....I doubt the "spine" cabilities will be used...no point showing our true capabilities.

I hardly think we exercise on our SEAD doctrine, unless we're at Red Flag..

Perhaps its the F16Cs we're bringing over again..

Contingent commander is Lt Col Neo Hong Keat

http://www.alert5.com/2006/01/iaf-to-hold-...th-british.html

i found this magazine "The Week" from India in the library....very interesting, The writer was former chief of air staff, India.

Looks from the photos we send the A/B version of the F-16s. (I thought RSAF have given them to RTAF)

"Empror" LHL or "Grand empror" LKY ! Singapore have more than that a system of corruputed people with links and hidden $$$ all over the place.

OT: sending F-16 to be fried by IAF Sukoi.! :lol:

If you have proof, come out with it and advertise it in the papers. Otherwise, shut up.

Yeah, those were F-16 A/Bs. Their tails give them away.

Errrr .... which photo are you talking about here?

You're pulling his leg right?